Car Parking

Parking at Surrey Sports Park

Surrey Sports Park has two car parks available to members and guests using our facilities from 6am- 11.30pm, Monday – Friday. The car parks are currently managed through restrictions that limit overnight parking but allow parking throughout the day.

Our Car Parks

The Top Car Park (119 spaces)

The Overflow (234 spaces)

A third car park by the Nursery is available from 5pm- 11.30pm Monday - Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday, (220 spaces). This car park is University permit only at all other hours and is managed by the University’s Security department.

In addition there are 11 disabled bays, a drop off/pick up area, larger bays for up to 4 coaches to park and facilities for motorbikes.

2017 Lacrosse World Cup Car Parking

Surrey Sports Park is proudly hosting the 2017 Women's Lacrosse World Cup this summer. We expect parking to be busier than usual between 12 - 22 July, therefore we advise guests to allow extra time for their visits during this period and use alternative transport where possible.

A permit system will be in place during this time. Surrey Sports Park members will be emailed a downloadable permit to place in their cars, or printed copies will be available at Front of House from Monday 3 July.

Non-members and guests will be issued a permit upon arrival to the car park on the day that they visit.

Lacrosse World Cup visitors will be issued with a different permit upon arrival and directed to designated pay and display areas.

Thank you for your patience during this time.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) System

Surrey Sports Park will be introducing an ANPR system on 1st May, 2017. This system will record the number plates of all cars entering and leaving the two main SSP car parks.

The system will offer 3 hours of free parking and will require no action from anyone parked if leaving within the time period

If a user’s stay is longer than 3 hours, the user will be expected to report to Reception and register their number plate details and reason for extending the stay. A parking exemption of a further 2 hours can then be applied for that registration number

Any cars parked for longer than 3 hours with no details entered at a contact point will automatically incur a parking penalty notice of £70, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days

All parking charge notices will be sent out through the post to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

In addition to the ANPR system, we will be deploying Horizon parking staff into the car park at known busy periods to ensure that cars are parked in allocated parking spaces. This is in response to cars that have frequently been seen on double yellow lines, in disabled bays with no valid badge, in the drop off bay and in the coach park.

Penalty Charges

A Parking Charge Notice (PCN) of £70 will be issued where vehicle users;

Exceed the maximum stay

Return within 1 hour

Park between 11.30pm - 6am

Park on double yellow lines or hatched areas

Park out of marked bay

Park obstructively

Park in a disabled bay without displaying valid disabled badge

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Following guest feedback, we would like to address a number of regular questions and concerns surrounding the new ANPR system:

Why is this necessary?

Recent surveys have confirmed what many people at Surrey Sports Park already knew, our car parks will regularly be used by people not using the facilities. Our survey picked out up to 50 cars a day parked but not using the facilities. The University also has an obligation to manage the designated bays that were given to SSP as part of the building consent with the local council. Allowing cars to park on yellow lines contravenes the planning consent but is also obstructive for those wanting to use designated bays correctly.

Please explain the ‘no return within 1 hour’ rule.

The ‘no return’ policy is the period of time following a 3 hour or 5 hour stay. Those popping to and from the Sports Park within these times are unaffected (5 hours applies when additional time has been granted at one of the touch points). Without this, users could park for unlimited time if they pop out at 3 hour intervals. This is possible with the varying academic and professional buildings in close proximity.

Why can’t the top car parks be members only?

Exempting members for the top two car parks does not deal with the volume of people parking and not using the building. Members were included in the cars that were surveyed. We also do not hold the same amount of car parking spaces as we do members. There will always be a period where car park 3 will be needed.

What will happen on event days?

Large event days which attract extra traffic will be managed on an individual basis and tailored to the need. We will retain flexibility with the ANPR system and can turn cameras off if needed. We will continue to provide marshals with the aim of helping people park their vehicles in the designated spaces.

Why can’t I park on yellow lines, some are not in the way?

The University of Surrey cannot add or create spaces in addition to the designated parking bays that were granted as part of the planning consent for Surrey Sports Park. Allowing parking on yellow lines, in grass areas or on crossed hatchings is a direct contravention of our permitted planning consent.

Does the system apply to weekends?

Yes – the system will apply 7 days a week. This will only change with known events and communicated in advance.

Where will I park for away fixtures?

The system is in places to ensure that people using the building are able to park. If your activity is not at the Sports Park then you will not be able to leave your vehicle.

Why was I not consulted about the system?

The system is being introduced as a direct result of member feedback and the results of surveys conducted by staff over the last 7 years. Surrey Sports Park have always been aware of the challenges that have been faced with the amount of permitted parking bays. We have tried to avoid introducing measures that may impact users but the constraints are now such that a management system must be introduced. With our system, there is no impact for those using the facilities up to 3 hours. For those who require more time, a quick check in at one of three touch points in the building will enable a longer stay.

Why do I need to speak with staff for the extra 2 hours? I should be able input my details myself?

We would like the ability to confirm what the extra time needed is for. Direct member or guest use opens the system up to illegitimate parking and the ability to walk through the building, claim extra time and leave without any staff engagement. We acknowledge that this may add some time for you at some point of the initial 3 hours but it is a quick check and a few digits on a tablet at either reception, the Health and Fitness Suite or The Bench Sport Bar.